Spinal stenosis occurs when the space that contains your spinal cord becomes too narrow. This space (called the spinal canal) needs ample room for your spinal cord to move and change as you age. When the spinal canal narrows too much or receives excessive pressure—due to arthritis or injury, for example—it can cause pain and numbness.
Speak with a Bayhealth neurology expert about spinal stenosis.
Signs and Symptoms
Because spinal stenosis develops gradually over time, the condition may not cause any noticeable symptoms for years. However, as stenosis gets worse, you may experience the following uncomfortable sensations in your low back (lumbar), buttocks, legs or feet.
- Pain
- Numbness
- Cramping
- Tingling
The pain of spinal stenosis tends to intensify whenever you’re standing or walking downhill, and recede whenever you’re sitting or bending forward.
Risk Factors and Prevention
Experts group cases of spinal stenosis into two categories—congenital (occurring at birth) and acquired (occurring after birth). The former accounts for less than 10% of cases, while the latter can develop for numerous reasons, including the following.
- Advanced Age: Degenerative spinal changes affect most individuals by the age of 50. In fact, lumbar spinal stenosis is among the most common reasons for spinal surgery among patients 65 and older.
- Arthritis: Among the most common causes of spinal stenosis, arthritis can cause extra bone growth (bone spurs) on your spine, which push into your spinal canal and contribute to the kind of wear and tear that results in stenosis.
- Herniated Disk: A disk is the soft material that pads the area between your spinal bones. In addition to causing pain and limited mobility, a herniated (or slipped) disk can push into your spinal canal, leading to stenosis.
- Trauma: Any injury that impacts your spine—such as from a car accident or sports mishap—can cause breakage or swelling that contributes to spinal stenosis.
How We Diagnose Spinal Stenosis
Our neurology experts use the following procedures to diagnose spinal stenosis.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body.
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- X-ray: A common medical imaging procedure, X-rays use radiation to capture colorless images of your bones, joints and soft tissue.
Treatment Options
Our expert neurologists and neurosurgeons take several factors into consideration when outlining your spinal stenosis treatment plan, including the cause and location of the stenosis, as well as the severity of your symptoms. In some cases, spinal stenosis can be managed through conservative treatments such as applying hot and cold compresses to the area. Advanced cases may require physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroidal injections or decompression surgery (laminectomy).